Sometimes the most powerful changes come from within! A healthy and active lifestyle isn’t just about what’s on the outside; it can also be about feeling better. For Tony, a marketing manager from Nashville, Tennessee, losing 37 pounds—through Smoothie King Meal Replacement Smoothies, regular workouts and a lower calorie diet—became the catalyst for a new outlook on life. Read on for his Change A Meal experience.

Q: Why Change A Meal?

A: During a hard time in 2014, Tony began turning to food for comfort, especially fast food. As his weight increased, he quit participating in social activities. He remembers not even putting up a Christmas tree that year because he “wasn’t interested in anything.” Finally, he went to his doctor for depression and ongoing digestive problems. What his doctor said changed Tony’s life forever – at 216 pounds, Tony was obese. On January 1, 2015, he resolved to lose the weight.

Q: What Meal Replacement Smoothie fuels Tony’s purpose?

A: Early in 2015, Tony began going to the gym. After a successful work out one day, he decided to treat himself at Smoothie King. At the time, he believed Smoothie King was the place to go for dessert in a cup, but an employee team member informed him of the nutritious ingredients and options available. He was recommended the Gladiator® Smoothie as a filling, high-protein Meal Replacement option and he hasn’t looked back!

Q: How does Tony incorporate Smoothies in his diet?

A: Tony quickly made a habit of working out in the evenings and refueling with a strawberry-vanilla Gladiator Smoothie for dinner, a practice he still follows. Occasionally, he also enjoys a Smoothie on his lunch break because he loves the extra boost of energy he feels throughout the day. Now that he has achieved such dramatic weight-loss results, he feels great about himself and strives to make healthier food choices for all his meals.

Q: How has Change A Meal changed Tony’s life?

A: As of today, Tony is a trim 179 pounds and is in the best shape of his life. He’s proud that his 2015 New Year’s resolution to lose weight became such a healthy, happy reality. Next, his 2016 goal is to compete in a body physique competition. Most importantly, he credits regaining a healthy and active lifestyle with helping him smile again and enabling him to help others in return. One of his favorite memories is when he donated four large bags of oversized clothing to Goodwill.

Q: What does Tony want more people to know about Smoothie King?

A: When people ask Tony how he lost so much weight in a healthy way, he tells them about Smoothie King. Tony says, “I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me and said they tried the Gladiator Smoothie and loved it!”